Closing the Year with Hope
Dear Beloved Community,
As we celebrate these 12 Days of Christmas, I find myself reflecting deeply on the ways we, as a community, embody the mission of Middle Church—a mission rooted in justice, love, and transformation to create a Bold, New Thing. This season, amidst all that’s happening in our world, I am reminded that the work we do together is about more than just programs and projects. It’s about the life-changing, world-shaping love we share, and the transformative justice we seek. I am grateful to you for the ways you’ve supported this mission, and for how your generosity fuels everything we are doing to build the beloved community God calls us to be.
As we turn the page to 2025, we are also preparing for something truly exciting: our return home! This will be a transformative year in the life of Middle Church and we want you deeply invested with us in the process. It’s a moment for us to reflect, to grow, and to take the next step as a movement. Your generosity is what makes it possible for us to gather in this way, and what will sustain the work we’re called to in the year ahead.
As Dec. 31st nears, I’m asking you to help us close the final gap in our $275,000 year-end goal. This isn’t just about meeting a financial target—it’s about ensuring that our mission of justice, love, and transformation continues to thrive. Whether you make a one-time gift, set up a monthly contribution, or include us in your year-end giving plans, your support matters. It’s what fuels our work, and it’s what makes it possible for us to be the church that God is calling us to be.
In this holy season of giving, I want you to know that your generosity is a gift to making a real, tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. Through your support, we are able to continue the vital work of organizing for justice in the East Village and beyond; nurturing spiritual growth and resilience in our community programs like Freedom School, our Jerriese Johnson Gospel Choir, and Children & Youth Ministries; and deepening our reach beyond our physical walls through live-streamed worship services to podcasts and webinars. Your contribution makes this global reach possible, and I am so thankful for your partnership in this work.
The story of Christmas is about the birth of hope into the world, and our work here at Middle Church is a direct reflection of that hope. Thank you for your faithful partnership, for your generosity, and for your unwavering commitment to the work of justice.
With deep gratitude and love,
Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis
Senior Minister, Middle Collegiate Church
Founder, Freedom Rising
P.S. Don’t wait—your gift before December 31st will help us meet our goal and ensure that our ministries continue to thrive into 2025. Thank you for helping us finish strong!